PRISON FIRM SEEKS DADE CARE CONTRACT

Prison Health Services Inc., a health care firm criticized for its treatment of jail inmates in Broward and Palm Beach counties, is vying for a contract to provide medical service for a new state prison in Dade County.

The family of Anthony Ancata, a Broward County inmate who died of leukemia in 1982 is suing PHS for negligence. The attorney for the family said Ancata was denied treatment for more than a month in Broward County Jail.

And Palm Beach County Sheriff Richard Wille told The Miami Herald he was disgusted at the "apparent lack of care" for inmate Mario Abraham, who died this summer.

The allegations stemming from the two deaths are most serious but PHS employees, past and present, and lawsuits filed by other inmates suggest more problems.

"If it's life or death, okay, we'll do it," said one PHS nurse. "Anything else, we're supposed to wait . . . The inmate could be released or transferred. Then the company doesn't get a big hospital bill."

Doyle Moore, president and founder of the company, disputed criticism of his firm. "We have been told by experts that we are the best company of this kind in the country," he said.